Chapter 504 : Lost a Fortune
“Xiao Xue, be good. Next time, I’ll come play with you again~”
Ling Ning smiled helplessly at the reluctant little loli, Dong Xue, gently patting her soft hair.
After spending the night at Ling Ning’s place, Dong Xue was being sent home following breakfast.
Though Dong Xue clearly didn’t want to leave, it was time.
Yang Bing watched her daughter with a mix of amusement and exasperation. At this rate, she thought, if Dong Xue grew up any more attached to Ling Ning, she might toss her real mom aside to stick with Ling Ning full-time.
“Thanks for taking care of her. She didn’t give you any trouble, did she?”
“Not at all. Xiao Xue was the perfect little angel, right, Xiao Xue?” Ling Ning replied with a smile.
Dong Xue nodded enthusiastically but quickly pouted at the thought of not being able to stay in Ling Ning’s embrace for a while.
“Alright then, Teacher, I’ll be on my way.”
“Take care.”
After leaving Yang Bing’s house and taking the elevator downstairs, Ling Ning gazed at the cloudless sky, suddenly unsure of where to go.
Her daughter had gone out early to meet a friend, and she didn’t feel like heading to the café. After some thought, she decided to go home and relax with the air conditioning and some “study materials.”
With her plan set, Ling Ning leisurely strolled toward home. As she passed a bubble tea shop, her steps halted instinctively. It was the same shop she had worked at in the past. She realized it had been ages since she last visited.
After a moment of hesitation, she decided to go inside.
“Hello, Miss. What can I get for you?” the shop owner asked warmly as Ling Ning entered.
Judging by his tone, he didn’t seem to recognize her. It made sense—Ling Ning had undergone significant changes since her time working there.
Even those who knew her well might struggle to recognize her at first glance. Plus, the owner was nearsighted and disliked wearing glasses, so it was no surprise.
Ling Ning chuckled. “Boss, have you forgotten who I am?”
The owner blinked, momentarily startled by her familiar voice. Squinting, he studied her closely. His expression shifted to one of astonishment.
“Wait… Are you Ling Ning?”
His voice was loud enough to draw the attention of the employees, though they quickly returned to work, knowing the boss’s strict rules.
“It’s been a while, Boss.”
“It really has! I almost didn’t recognize you—you’ve changed so much. What’ll you have? It’s on the house.”
“Well, if it’s on you, I’ll have to order something expensive! Just kidding. I’ll take your signature bubble tea—with pearls, please.”
“Of course! You’d remember my specialty.”
In no time, a freshly made “signature pearl milk tea” was placed before Ling Ning. She took a sip, the familiar sweetness bringing a smile to her face. It was just as good as she remembered.
The owner chuckled. “Life treating you well? You look like you’re doing great.”
“Pretty much!” Ling Ning replied, grinning cheekily.
“Your transformation is amazing—it’s like you’re a different person. You’re in college now, right?”
“Yep, at S University.”
“Impressive!”
As Ling Ning chatted with the owner, a familiar figure appeared at the shop entrance.
Xu Qing froze in surprise upon seeing Ling Ning inside. She had only planned to grab a quick bubble tea but unexpectedly ran into Ling Ning. Was this fate?
Sensing Xu Qing’s presence, Ling Ning turned toward the door. Upon recognizing her, a radiant smile spread across her face. “Yo, Xiao Qing Qing~”
“Do you have to call me that?”
Xu Qing sighed. She didn’t mind the nickname in private, but hearing it in public always made her feel inexplicably embarrassed.
“Well, if it isn’t Xiao Qing. The usual?”
“Yes, please.”
“You two catch up—I’ll get back to work.”
Xu Qing took a seat beside Ling Ning, curiosity evident in her expression. “What brings you here today?”
“I had something to do this morning. On my way home, I passed by and thought I’d grab a bubble tea. I didn’t expect to run into you, though. So, Xiao Qing Qing, will you treat me to a drink?”
“In your dreams.”
Ling Ning laughed. “Just kidding! The boss is treating me today.”
Watching Ling Ning enjoy her drink, Xu Qing couldn’t help but recall that this shop was where they had first met. If she hadn’t come here on a whim back then, their relationship might have been very different.
Noticing Xu Qing staring at her drink, Ling Ning tilted her head slightly and held it out. “Xiao Qing Qing, do you want a sip?”
“Huh?!”
Xu Qing’s gaze lingered on the straw, which bore faint imprints of Ling Ning’s teeth. Even the thought made her heart race. Just as she hesitated, the owner arrived with her order.
“Here you go, Xiao Qing.”
“Th-thank you, Boss.”
Xu Qing glanced at the returned drink with a tinge of regret. Why had she hesitated? She felt as though she had just lost a fortune.
“So, Xiao Qing Qing, got any plans today?” Ling Ning asked, propping her chin on the table in boredom.
“What’s up?”
“I’m so bored. I don’t know where to go. How about I crash at your place for lunch? You’ll cook for me, right?”
“If you cook, sure.”
“What?! But I don’t feel like cooking.”
“Then no lunch for you.”
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Author’s Note:
Salted Fish says: Twenty gold chests, all purple. I’m so happy.